Shannon Aniciete

The Winter Symposium 2018 outlines Portland State University's vision for establishing interdisciplinary Centers of Excellence. This strategic initiative aims to foster collaborative research that addresses pressing societal challenges, such as homelessness and transportation, by integrating expertise from liberal arts, social sciences, and STEM fields. The plan seeks to attract significant external funding, elevate the university's reputation, and recruit top-tier faculty and students, while emphasizing strong engagement with government agencies, companies, and foundations for long-term sustainability.

This document outlines Portland State University's new holistic Campus Public Safety Plan, developed over 15 months to ensure all community members feel welcome and safe. The plan is guided by the principle of shared responsibility and aims to foster a climate of inclusion and equity. Key elements include enhanced oversight by a diverse campus committee, comprehensive training for public safety staff in community policing and de-escalation, and optimizing campus infrastructure for safety while maintaining openness. It emphasizes addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals with a healthcare-informed response and features a balanced staffing model comprising student safety ambassadors, unarmed campus public safety officers, and armed campus police officers. The plan will undergo formal review every three years to advance overall public safety and security.

The meeting featured the formal conferral of doctoral, master's, and baccalaureate degrees, as well as certificates, to candidates who completed all university requirements. The Board of Trustees authorized the graduation of the listed candidates upon the recommendation of the graduate faculty and academic deans.

The committee meeting covered a range of academic and student affairs topics, including standing reports from the President and Provost, a special guest presentation, and a proposal for a new Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Key discussions included an update on Portland State University's Academic Plan for Institutional Vitality and Transformation (PIVOT), status updates from the General Education Task Force, and detailed reports on student success initiatives, enrollment management strategies, and financial aid updates.

The agenda focuses on the formal appointment of a new Secretary to the Board of Trustees by the President. The role involves acting as a primary liaison between the Board and the university administration, managing Board governance, strategic work plans, and ensuring proper meeting notices and record-keeping for Board activities.